System and method for assessing quanitites or sizes of lipoprotein particles from lipoprotein particle compositions

Abstract

This invention relates to methods for assessing quantities of spherical or substantially spherical lipoprotein particles or portions thereof present in a biological sample based on the measurement of free cholesterol and / or phospholipid content in the lipoprotein particles. The invention also relates to the use of the assessed quantities of the lipoprotein particles or portions thereof to determine whether a subject is at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and cardiodiabetes.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 792,539, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to methods for assessing quantities or sizes of spherical or substantially spherical lipoprotein particles present in a biological sample. The results can be used to determine whether a subject is at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and cardiodiabetes.BACKGROUND[0003]NMR is able to size and count HDL, VLDL, IDL and LDL particles, but not Lp(a) particles. NMR is at best an adequate technique and technical problems impact data accuracy. NMR is touted for its reproducibility, however the data does not compare well to the accuracy of data generated by other techniques such as gel electrophoresis. For this reason NMR sizing and particle counting may not be reliable. Gel electrophoresis is good for sizing and rough approximation of lipopro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a need for accurately measuring the number of different subclasses of lipoprotein particles in blood. These particles are important for determining a person's risk of cardiovascular disease and related conditions. The invention uses a method to calculate the number of lipoprotein particles based on the measurement of free cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations. This method is simple and cost-effective, and can provide significant savings in time. It can be used on any type of lipoprotein particle, regardless of its protein components. This accuracy in measuring lipoprotein particles can help improve clinical decisions on the most appropriate therapies for reducing cardiovascular risk in patients.

Problems solved by technology

NMR is at best an adequate technique and technical problems impact data accuracy.

NMR is touted for its reproducibility, however the data does not compare well to the accuracy of data generated by other techniques such as gel electrophoresis.

For this reason NMR sizing and particle counting may not be reliable.

Measurements of total cholesterol in a given sample of isolated lipoprotein subtype are also not useful for determining particle size or number.

Because the esterified cholesterols in the center are mixed with triglycerides in varying proportions dependent upon a host of genetic, dietary and disease factors, total cholesterol correlates only loosely with particle sizes and is not useful for generating clinically precise and accurate data for particle numbers.

There is no existing technology which is able to measure lipoprotein particle number for all types of spherical lipoprotein particles accurately and in a single step based on objective measurement of a sample's PL or FC content.

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